Sue Foster shares county centennial quiz

Posted: Thursday, Mar 28th, 2013

Members of the San Luis Valley Quilt Guild commemorated Alamosa County’s official centennial by designing this quilt. The guild had a chance to share its handiwork with the Alamosa County Commission during the board’s March 13 meeting. Pictured from left are: Jo Bowers, Janet Davis, Peg Collins, Susan Foster, Beverly Hettinger and Merlinda M. Marquez.
Courier photo by Rudy Herndon

ALAMOSA — Alamosa County is celebrating its 100th birthday this year in a variety of ways from the kick-off this month with centenarian Ralph Outcalt joining Alamosa county commissioners to a special Fourth of July party complete with themed parade and fireworks to mark this special year. The Courier will be publishing a commemorative book and appreciates folks willing to share photos of the county’s first century.

A member of the Alamosa County Centennial Planning Committee, Susan Feldman Foster, has conducted extensive research and compiled information regarding area history.

Below are “Fun Facts of People, Places, and Happenings” that she compiled for the county’s centennial:

Q. When did the “Big Fire” burn down the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad depot?

A. Christmas Day, 1910

Q. Alamosa was built starting with hand-me-down buildings brought here on railroad flatbeds from what community?

A. Garland City, six miles east of Ft. Garland.

Q. What was the name of the community which housed the Hilltop School north of Alamosa?

A. Garnett.

Q. Settlers came to the Waverly area in 1892 and again in 1937 seeking a new life. Who were these two groups of settlers?

A. The Dutch immigrants from the Netherlands; and

the Resettlers from the Dust Bowl in southeastern Colorado.

Q. Name several games often played by children in Alamosa County in the early years.